Tesla Motors Unveils “Fully Vegan” SUV

Tesla is the latest automaker to join in what would have been hard to imagine a generation ago: a rush by the car industry — long a symbol of environmental wreckage — to project a more responsible image by offering vegan options.

“Synthetic leather, in a shade Tesla calls Ultra White, is available as an option for the new Model X sport-utility vehicle”.

Electric is not enough, now Tesla is creating cars that are as ‘cruelty-free’ as possible…

By Amanda Froelich (www.trueactivist.com)

When you think of luxury cars, you usually envision leather seats and that “new car smell”… But what if ethical consumers – such as vegans – don’t want seats lined with animal skin?

It’s been a conundrum for people that eschew eating animals and their products, as well as utilizing anything made with their parts, which is why TESLA delivered in a really cool and exciting way.

NBC News reports that for decades, leather-free options in the car industry have been limited. For this reason, the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) – which is actually a shareholder of Tesla Motors – urged the electric car company to offer vegan leather for the interiors of its vehicles.

Reportedly, CEO Elon Musk was present at the company’s annual meeting in June 2015 and stated that he would “absolutely” consider it.

Well, he did more than just consider it. He made a lot of animal rights activists happy by unveiling the company’s new Tesla Model X, which features double-hinged falcon wing doors.

The world’s first all-electric four-by-four SUV can hit 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, has a top speed of 155 mph and can drive 250 miles per change.

And, of course, the seven-seater is available with faux leather seats.

Commented Tracy Reiman, Executive Vice President of PETA:

“By offering a 100 percent leather-free car, Tesla is pushing its eco-friendly business even further into the future. PETA can now point to Tesla as a source for top-quality vehicles whose cruelty-free seats are as kind to the environment as its engines are.”

It is important to note that this is not Tesla’s first “fully vegan” car. The company has always offered cloth interiors for customers who don’t want to use leather. PETA clarified to Business Insider that it’s specifically celebrating the more premium option of fake leather.

At present, reservations for the Model X are being made and a $5,000 deposit is required. Its base price is $80,000, and delivery is set to begin at the end of 2016.